Kentucky Native Café
| Address: | 417 E Maxwell St, Lexington, KY 40508, USA |
| Phone: | +1 859-281-1718 |
| Site: | michlers.com |
| Rating: | 4.6 |
| Working: | 4–10PM 4–10PM 4–10PM 4–10PM 4–10PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–10PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 14
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Jerie Bolin
I have been a strict vegetarian and health foods fanatic for close to five years now. So when Kentucky Native Cafe opened, I eagerly wanted to visit. My husband and I have lived away from Lexington (which we consider home) for the last several years, but we still visit frequently. My husband is a meat and junk food eater, however, and so visiting a place where I have many options is always a struggle. For at least a year now, Kentucky Native Cafe has been on my KY bucket list and Ive been waiting patiently to make my visit. Today we planned to go with our two best friends and their one year old son. To prepare for the trip, we went through a fast food place to get food for the baby and my husband, who absolutely would not eat anything on the Ky Native Cafe menu. Really, this experience was supposed to be a treat for me and my friends, and my husband was enduring it for me, which is rare. We were awed at the environment when we arrived and I grew more and more excited to try the food I had heard amazing things about. When we arrived, my husband sat down with our godson and got his food out (apple slices and a hot dog) while we walked to the window to order. My husband was IMMEDIATELY greeted by an employee who told him that they discourage children eating anything but snacks there. My husband told him he wasnt going to eat there, either, but that three people did want to order there. The employee again said he couldnt. We decided to leave and I am sorely disappointed. Not only by this experience but that we arrived only an hour and a half after opening and the food options were very scarce. I would almost be okay with this experience if they said my husband couldnt eat there - that is more understandable - but to say a one year old cant eat his apple slices there when there is no food on the menu that is friendly to children is unacceptable. I had such high hopes and was so looking forward to this experience only to be immediately turned away and disappointed. As I said before, opportunities for dining like this for me are rare. I wish your policies were more considerate of needs like ours.
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Joshua Dhir
Ill start with the one negative: the wait for the food can be kinda long, though Ill give the benefit of the doubt and attribute that to the Sunday lunch rush. Aside from that, it was very nice! The design is really neat; theres a small counter-service "shack" (for my lack of knowledge of a better term, though its much more clean and modern than that) that has a large steel pergola over it. Its bare now, but I saw some vines climbing on the bases of several poles, so maybe within a few years the whole thing will be nice and shaded! Besides that, the shack is surrounded by a beautifully landscaped yard. Theres plenty of full-grown trees to provide shade for the benches. Ive only had one food option, but I imagine based on that the rest is quite good! I had a sandwich with goat cheese and beets on it, and it tasted great. For a vegetarian option, it was quite satisfying, though Ill definitely come back for more!
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Joey Dueck
Stumbled on this gem on our way to a different restaurant: so stoked we pulled in! Its all outdoor seating (no umbrellas: take note on hot or rainy days...), rotating seasonal menu, and a totally chill vibe. We hung out as the sun set so we got to see the lights come on. It was a great night! Stoked: Kids love it! Toy trucks to dig around in a garden atmosphere; local as it gets (from the garden right there) and delicious food. Bummed: Pick a nice day to go: no covered seating. Tip: its a "pick 3-4 items" type menu. Its enough to share, especially if you get a beer. They pour big steins!
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Ashlynn Evans
I wont be going back. I didnt know they werent open till for and went a little after 3. There was a guy inside the front door that came out and said they werent open till 4. Whiler that didnt bother me, the way he said it did. He was very rude and had a bad attitude about it. Im handicapped. It was very hard for me to get to the door. I would have waited and still tried it had he notold been so rude. So I wont be going back to find out! Thanks for ruining the experience. It looked like a cool place.
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Chase Mudd
The only reason I dont hate this spot is because its in the middle of a garden. Its just not for me. Id rather go to almost any other place in Lexington. Seems like they only offer vegetarian food and the beer selection is very minimal. When I have to meet people here I dont even bother looking at a menu. I eat before or have plans to eat after. If youre into vegetarian food and want a nice outdoor atmosphere this place will be your jam.
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Sterling Bobbitt
We stumbled on to this spot on a tranquil afternoon and it was lovely. Good selection of beer and wine, a band in lederhosen playing traditional beer-drinking songs, a variety of tables sprinkled through a small glade, and a nursery with a nice selection of plants featuring the "natives." The salmon asparagus salad was tasty, but the strawberries, almonds and cream was fabulous. Wish I lived nearby!
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Devin Morris
My favorite summer brunch spot. A nice quiet spot right smack dab in the middle of downtown Lexington. When you walk through the gates you almost forget youre in the city. Beer selection is alright, and they serve appetizer style foods. A great place to unwind for sure. Only open from April through October due to it being outside.
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Robert McGillivray
Wonderful beer garden and restaurant with a great atmosphere. I always feel welcomed by the staff. The food is great with authentic German pretzels and there is a good selection of local beers on draft and wine. They always have local ingredients and seasonal recipes.
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India Stewart
Gorgeous setting, good food, nicely curated beer list, and cool staff. Its possible to get into the cafe before it opens, and I certainly have stumbled in several times while browsing the greenhouses. The folks working there are always nice about it though.
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Fadil Santosa
Our friends took us to Kentucky Native. What great food and great atmosphere. The place is a true gem. The setting is unique and very attractive. The food is of great quality and delicious. I wish we have a place like this in the Twin Cities.
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Kevin Allen
My Maple Bacon donut was surprisingly great. I have been here several times to try their gluten free donuts but they always sell out. Today eureka!!! It was great.... gone so fast I did not even get to take a picture! Got the last one.
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Jacob Wasilkowski
Love it here! Lexington is officially "cool", now that the Kentucky Native Café is around. Theyve got a wonderful menu, tasty beer, and an extraordinary atmosphere. Go check it out, stay awhile, and then repeat the next day.
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Roberto Rivera
This is a great place to be with a significant other or with family when the weather is nice, sunny and warm! You can get a cool Ale 8, a pretzel, and some delicious plates like the Peanut Noodle Salad or the Quinoa Salad!
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John Srtunk
This is an amazing spot in downtown Lexington with a great atmosphere and great food. However the parking isnt so intuitive, there is available parking in the other side of the resuturant than where Goole Maps takes you.
